In addition to the emotional challenges associated with caring for someone after hip or knee replacement surgery, there can be significant stressors related to creating a safe and supportive environment at home. While you certainly want your loved one to heal properly, avoid falls, and remain comfortable; however, it is frequently unclear what you need to arrange at home. With a bit of planning, you can convert your home into a safe and helpful post operative recovery space. This guide provides information regarding what families should prepare prior to surgery, and what to anticipate when your loved one returns home.
Understanding the recovery plan before discharge.
Attend any preoperative appointments or educational sessions that are provided by the hospital. Ask the healthcare provider about:
- How long will your loved one stay in the hospital?
- What weight bearing limitations or movement restrictions will there be?
- At what point can he/she walk using a walker or cane?
- What exercises must be done at home?
- Signs of infection or blood clots.
Understanding the plan earlier will allow you to establish arrangements for the home, necessary supplies/equipment and schedules, prior to your loved ones leaving the hospital.
Establishing a safe recovery area at home.
Generally speaking, the majority of patients will spend considerable amounts of time resting/sleeping in the first couple of weeks.
More than people typically think, the arrangement of the bed/bedroom matters. Your bed needs to be positioned at a height that enables your loved one to sit down with their feet flat on the ground and be able to stand up without having to bend too far forward. Many families look for hospital beds for sale that enable adjustment of height and make transfers safer for both the patient and the caregiver.
- Clear pathways leading from the bed to the bathroom or commode.
- Removing loose rugs/wires/small pieces of furniture that could become entangled in a walkers’ legs.
Advantages of adjusting a bed for ease of recovery
One of the biggest obstacles patients encounter after knee surgery is getting in/out of bed. A fixed, low, or extremely soft mattress creates a barrier for pushing oneself upward or changing positions.
An adjustable hospital bed for sale permits raising/lowering the top part of the bed so your loved one can sit up more easily and raising/lowering the entire bed to accommodate their ability to move around. An adjustable bed also has the advantage of placing the operated leg in a better position while still adhering to the surgeon’s recommendations.
Using this type of bed can help alleviate the burden of recovery on both your loved one’s recovering joint and on family members who are assisting with transferring your loved one.
Creating the “recovery station.”
Having a designated “recovery station” nearby the bed can be beneficial. The idea behind this concept is to centralize resources close enough to the bed that your loved one won’t have to expend unnecessary energy traveling back and forth in order to obtain something they need.
Some items that you can place in this area include:
- Medications used for pain relief, along with a basic outline of medication usage
- A water bottle and some light snack options
- Their phone, cell phone charger, television remote, etc.
- Tissues, lip balm, hand sanitizer
- Cold compresses or a cold therapy unit, if recommended
If you are utilizing a hospital bed for sale, then an over bed table would be capable of sliding across the frame allowing your loved one to eat, watch tv/read books/exercise without excessive motion.
Safety of the bathroom/toilet area
The bathroom can sometimes be considered one of the most hazardous places during the recovery process.
Factors that contribute to increased fall risks in bathrooms include wet surfaces/slick tile/low to the ground toilets. Consider installing:
- Raised toilet seats/toilet safety frames
- Grab bars next to toilets/shower stalls
- Anti skid mats in/beyond shower/tub areas
- Shower chairs/hand held shower heads
Regardless of whether you’ve established a safe bedroom configuration, your loved one will require safe passage from their bed to the bathroom. The fewer transfers required, the less likely they’ll experience complications.
Management of pain/swelling in home
Effective management of pain is crucial in the initial stages. If the pain is uncontrolled, your loved one may choose not to ambulate or participate in exercises, which can delay recovery.
Coordinate with your doctor/physician assistant/physical therapist to determine:
- When to administer pain meds (usually according to a schedule not just “when needed”)
- Proper use of ice/cold pack treatments
- Length/time for elevating leg
- Allowed/restricted movements
An adjustable hospital bed for sale near me will enable gentle positioning changes without generating undue pressure on the newly implanted joint. This may potentially decrease discomfort between exercise periods.
Supportive assistance with mobility/daily functions
Patients generally utilize a walker initially. Practice the pathway from their bed to their bathroom/living room/kitchen. Clear these paths completely and ensure adequate lighting and no clutter.
Other potential items you may need include:
- Sturdy chair with armrests/firm seat pad
- Reachers/grabbers for retrieving objects from floor
- Extended shoe horn/sock aid
- Easy to put on/off clothing
If navigating a low profile couch or excessively soft bed proves difficult, it may be an additional reason families investigate purchasing a hospital bed for sale during their loved one’s recovery.
Plan as a caregiver
For several days/weeks after surgery, your loved one may not be able to care for themselves independently.
Depending upon their specific needs, they may require assistance with rising from bed, bathing/dressing/preparing meals. If possible, develop a rotating system among family/friends/paid caregivers.
As a caregiver, you frequently underestimate the physical demands associated with providing care.
Transferring patients/re positioning patients/moving patients around adds up rapidly. Utilizing supportive equipment such as an adjustable hospital bed for sale will help minimize the strain on your back/joints and facilitate caregiving for extended durations.
Identifying Early Warning Signs
Although establishing an effective recovery environment is important, problems can occur regardless of how well prepared you are.
Contact your physician immediately/seek emergency treatment if you notice any of the following:
- Increased pain/inflammation/heat in leg
- Fever/chills
- Incision site redness/discharge/odor
- Difficulty breathing/chest pain
- Unusual confusion/altered behavior
Timely intervention can prevent a minor issue from developing into a serious complication.